Hackney deploys mobile CCTV van after signposts cut on Cazenove Road
Two School Streets signs were destroyed on 9 November 2026, prompting the council to step up patrols amid a record of vandalism to the programme
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Hackney Council reported that vandals used an angle grinder to bring down two traffic signposts on Cazenove Road at about 5 pm on 9 November 2026. The signs were part of the School Streets scheme that restricts motor traffic during school pick‑up and drop‑off times. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident was logged just after 5 pm and that no arrests have been made.
Vandalism on Cazenove Road
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The damaged signposts were installed to create a pedestrian and cycle zone outside the nearby primary school. Their removal leaves the road open to unrestricted traffic during the protected hours, raising safety concerns for children and parents. Local resident Kelly Allnutt described the situation as “absolutely terrifying, anxiety‑inducing, cortisol‑level‑rising horrible”.
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Hackney Council said it will deploy a mobile CCTV van to patrol the Cazenove Road area after repeated attacks on a fixed camera at the same site. Cabinet Member for Climate, Clean Air, Energy and Transport Cllr Jacob Cable said the council will not be deterred from delivering “cleaner air and safer streets”. He added that the vandalism “shows some in our society continue to prioritise cars over keeping children safe”.
Background to the programme
Hackney runs the largest School Streets programme in the United Kingdom. Government data shows timed road restrictions now cover 87 % of the borough’s primary schools, benefitting 20,000 pupils. A Freedom of Information request revealed 22 reported incidents of vandalism between June 2024 and March 2025. Council records show a further 13 incidents have been logged since March 2025, bringing the total to 35.
Local campaigner Will Petty, who works with Low Traffic Hackney, said the scheme is “quite uncontroversial” and that the recent attacks are “horrible”. He warned that without swift action, further damage could undermine the safety benefits the programme delivers.
The Metropolitan Police have asked anyone with information about the Cazenove Road incident to contact them on 101, quoting CAD 5560/09NOV26. The council’s mobile CCTV unit is expected to begin patrols within the next week, and residents have been urged to report any suspicious activity.
Questions this report answers
+What happened on Cazenove Road on 9 November 2026?
Two School Streets signposts were cut down with power tools at about 5 pm on 9 November 2026. The signs control traffic during school hours, and their loss leaves the road open to unrestricted vehicles, raising safety concerns.
+How many vandalism incidents have been recorded against School Streets in Hackney?
Hackney Council recorded 22 incidents between June 2024 and March 2025 and a further 13 incidents since March 2025, totalling 35 reported attacks on School Streets infrastructure.
+What is the council doing to prevent further damage?
The council is deploying a mobile CCTV van to patrol the Cazenove Road area after repeated attacks on a fixed camera. The van will monitor the site and record any further vandalism, supporting police investigations.
+How many pupils benefit from Hackney’s School Streets programme?
The programme covers 87 % of the borough’s primary schools, protecting around 20,000 pupils by restricting motor traffic during school pick‑up and drop‑off periods.
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